When Jake Olson was 10 months old, he lost sight in one eye due to cancer. His struggles with cancer continued throughout his early life, leaving him completely blind by the time he was 12.
However, Olson refused to let his disability hold him back. Similarly to the athlete with cerebral palsy, he fought hard to keep his dream of playing football alive.
"When I learned I was going to lose my sight, I decided it wasn't going to stop me in life. Brokenness does not exist in the body; it exists in the mind, heart, and spirit," he told ESPN. "My mind, heart, and spirit remain whole."
When he entered high school, Olson began training as a long snapper, the only position in football he'd be able to play without sight. The long snapper is only needed during specific moments of the game and is required to throw the ball to another player, as shown at the 4:14 mark.
"I really sucked the first time and I had to totally learn how to do it," said Olson, who feared the coaches would just keep him on the bench.
But after continuos practice, Olson made his high school football team and became the best long snapper they had. And two years after the video below was published, Olson fulfilled his biggest dream ever – he joined the Trojans football team at the University of Southern California.
It's clear Olson continues to live up to his powerful motto: "You're either competing or you're not. I've chosen to always compete."
Watch the unbelievable video below and please SHARE to inspire others to work hard for their dreams, no matter what setbacks they face, just like Jake Olson!
